Dynamic Media Content Output For Mobile Devices

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of mechanisms for dynamic media content type streaming management for mobile devices are generally described herein. In some embodiments, the mobile device may receive selection input pertaining to generating output from a media file containing at least two of audio data, video data, and closed-captioning data, the selection input selecting at least one of audio, video, and closed-captioning to be output during play of the media content. In some embodiments, the mobile device may generate an audio output as a signal in response to the selection input including audio. In some embodiments, the mobile device may generate a video output as a signal in response to the selection input including video. In some embodiments, the mobile device may generate a closed-captioning output as a signal in response to selection input including closed-captioning.

PRIORITY APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/631,946, filed Sep. 29, 2012, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments pertain to mobile devices. Some embodiments relate todynamic media content output for mobile devices.

BACKGROUND

In the last several years, media consumption on mobile devices has grownrapidly. The increase of downloading or streaming media content overmobile networks onto mobile devices is a major concern for both mobilenetwork operators and mobile device users because of the increasedbandwidth required to transmit the media content. The bandwidth burdenon mobile networks is a major reason why most mobile network operatorsdo not offer unlimited data usage plans.

There are some negative consequences to the increase of usersdownloading or streaming media content via mobile networks onto theirmobile devices. As downloading or streaming of media content over amobile network increases, the bandwidth burden on mobile networksincreases, thereby increasing infrastructure costs and reducing a mobilenetwork operator's ability to provide consistently high-speed serviceacross its user base. Furthermore, if a user is not on an unlimited dataplan, the increase in downloading or streaming of media content over themobile network by the user consumes greater amounts of the user's datausage quota.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an operational environment of a system for dynamicmedia content output in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 2 illustrates a functional block diagram of an example machine inaccordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 3 illustrates a method of dynamic media content output on a mobiledevice in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 4 illustrates a method of dynamic media content output on a mediacontent provider in accordance with some embodiments; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a functional block diagram of an example mobiledevice in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description and the drawings sufficiently illustratespecific embodiments to enable those skilled in the art to practicethem. Other embodiments may incorporate structural, logical, electrical,process, and other changes. Portions and features of some embodimentsmay be included in, or substituted for, those of other embodiments.Embodiments set forth in the claims encompass all available equivalentsof those claims.

In some scenarios, a user of a mobile device may want to download orstream some media content that may contain multiple output modes, suchas audio and video, but is only interested in one of the output modes(e.g. audio). Downloading or streaming media content that includesundesired output modes unnecessarily consumes bandwidth, user dataquota, battery power on the user's mobile device (e.g., mobile phone,smartphone, tablet, or other device that receives data via a wirelessnetwork connection), and the user's time. Although some existingapproaches allow users to turn off an output mode, e.g. muting a videothat also contains audio content, the mobile device nonethelesscontinues to receive the stream(s) of data for the other output modes.Adapting the media content to contain only the desired output mode(s),such as on a server prior to transmission of media content over anetwork to the mobile device, so that only the data pertaining to thedesired output mode(s) is streamed to the mobile device addresses someshortcomings in some current content streaming systems.

In some scenarios, a user of a mobile device may want to playback somemedia content already on the user's mobile device. The media content maycontain multiple output modes, such as audio and video, but the user isonly interested in one of the output modes (e.g. audio.) Playback thatincludes the undesired output modes unnecessarily consumes battery poweron the user's mobile device. Adapting media content so that a mobiledevice renders only the desired output mode(s) addresses someshortcomings in some current content playback mechanisms.

FIG. 1 illustrates an operational environment of a system for dynamicmedia content output in accordance with some embodiments. In someembodiments, mobile device 102 may request media content from mediacontent provider 106 via a network 104. In some embodiments, “mediacontent” may constitute a single file, while in other embodiments “mediacontent” may constitute a plurality of files. The request for mediacontent may be transmitted to a media content provider 106 via a network104, such as the internet. In some embodiments, network 104 may be awireless mobile network. In some embodiments, network 104 may be acombination of networks, which may include both wired and wirelessnetworks. In some embodiments, media content provider 106 may not storethe requested media content; in such embodiments, media content provider106 may retrieve the requested media content from another source.

In some embodiments, mobile device 102 may receive selection inputpertaining to generating output from media content containing at leasttwo of audio data, video data, and closed-captioning data. For example,a user may select particular media content that contains audio, video,and closed-captioning. The selection input may select not only thedesired content, but also select at least one of audio, video, andclosed-captioning to be output during play of the media content. Forexample, the user may input a selection to receive only video andclosed-captioning from media content that contains audio, video, andclosed-captioning. In some embodiments, the mobile device 102 transmitsthe selection along with the request for media content to the mediacontent provider 106 via a network 104.

Upon the media content provider 106 receiving the request for mediacontent, which may include the selection input, sent by the mobiledevice 102, the media content provider 106 may adapt the media content,in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, when therequest for media content includes selection input, the media contentprovider 106 may adapt the media content in accordance with theselections in the selection input. For example, if the selection inputselected only audio, media content provider 106 may adapt the requestedmedia content, which may contain audio data and video data, to containonly audio data. In some example embodiments, this may entail the mediacontent provider 106 deleting the video and closed-captioning associatedwith the audio before transmitting the audio content to the mobiledevice 102.

After adapting the requested media content, media content provider 106may transmit the adapted media content to mobile device 102 via network104. In some embodiments, the transmission may be a standardtransmission (i.e. download) of the entire adapted media content. Suchtransmissions may be performed if the adapted media content is intendedfor playback after the entire adapted media content has been downloaded.In other embodiments, the transmission may be a streaming transmission,which allows the mobile device 102 to play the adapted media content asit is being received.

In some embodiments, media content provider 106 may synchronously adapta portion of the media content and transmit the adapted portion tomobile device 102, rather than adapting the entire media content beforestarting transmission. In some embodiments, media content provider 106may encrypt a part of or all of the adapted media content to mobiledevice 102. The encryption mechanism used may be either public-keyencryption or private-key encryption. The encryption mechanism may bepart of a digital rights management system used to prevent unauthorizedplayback or copying of the media content. The encryption may beperformed according to one of several encryption algorithms such as theRSA algorithm, MD5, Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), and otherencryption algorithms.

In some embodiments, if the request for media content did not includeselection input, media content provider 106 may adapt the media contentaccording to a policy. The policy may be stored by media contentprovider 106, in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments,the policy may be specific to at least one intended recipient of theadapted media content. In some embodiments, the policy may be a defaultpolicy that is utilized for all media content requests when selectioninput has not been received.

In some embodiments, the media content provider may adapt the mediacontent based partially on the data throughput available to the intendedrecipient of the adapted media content. “Data throughput” is defined asthe average rate of successful message delivery over a communicationchannel. Adapting the media content based partially on the datathroughput available to the intended recipient of the adapted mediacontent may include down sampling of content, such as audio and videocontent.

In some embodiments, the policy may contain output mode settings forstreaming events within the media content that are of interest for theuser. For example, a user may want to receive only the audio datacorresponding to a football game, but may want to receive both audio andvideo if a touchdown or interception occurs. In some embodiments, themedia content provider maintains the synchronization of the constituentcomponents of the media content, so that the media content provider maycombine and send the appropriate portions of the media content.

In some embodiments, the policy may contain default output mode settingsfor particular types of media content. For example, a user may specifythat sporting events should default to being streamed in audio modeonly. In some embodiments, the selection input received by the user'smobile device is used to store the policy settings.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an example machine 200 upon whichany one or more of the techniques (e.g., methodologies) discussed hereincan perform. In alternative embodiments, the machine 200 can operate asa standalone device or can be connected (e.g., networked) to othermachines. In a networked deployment, the machine 200 can operate in thecapacity of a server machine, a client machine, or both in server-clientnetwork environments. In an example, the machine 200 can act as a peermachine in peer-to-peer (P2P) (or other distributed) networkenvironment. The machine 200 can be a personal computer (PC), a tabletPC, a set-top box (STB), a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a mobiletelephone, a web appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or anymachine capable of executing instructions (sequential or otherwise) thatspecify actions to be taken by that machine. Further, while only asingle machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shall also be taken toinclude any collection of machines that individually or jointly executea set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more ofthe methodologies discussed herein, such as cloud computing, software asa service (SaaS), other computer cluster policies.

Examples, as described herein, can include, or can operate on, logic ora number of components, modules, or mechanisms. Modules are tangibleentities (e.g., hardware) capable of performing specified operations andcan be configured or arranged in a certain manner. In an example,circuits can be arranged (e.g., internally or with respect to externalentities such as other circuits) in a specified manner as a module. Inan example, the whole or part of one or more computer systems (e.g., astandalone, client or server computer system) or one or more hardwareprocessors can be configured by firmware or software (e.g.,instructions, an application portion, or an application) as a modulethat operates to perform specified operations. In an example, thesoftware may reside on a non-transitory machine-readable medium. In anexample, the software, when executed by the underlying hardware of themodule, causes the hardware to perform the specified operations.

Accordingly, the term “module” is understood to encompass a tangibleentity, be that an entity that is physically constructed, specificallyconfigured (e.g., hardwired), or temporarily (e.g., transitorily)configured (e.g., programmed) to operate in a specified manner or toperform part or all of any operation described herein. Consideringexamples in which modules are temporarily configured, each of themodules need not be instantiated at any one moment in time. For example,where the modules comprise a general-purpose hardware processorconfigured using software, the general-purpose hardware processor can beconfigured as respective different modules at different times. Softwarecan accordingly configure a hardware processor, for example, toconstitute a particular module at one instance of time and to constitutea different module at a different instance of time.

Machine (e.g., computer system) 200 can include a hardware processor 202(e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit(GPU), a hardware processor core, or any combination thereof), a mainmemory 204 and a static memory 206, some or all of which can communicatewith each other via a bus 208. The machine 200 can further include adisplay unit 210, an alphanumeric input device 212 (e.g., a keyboard),and a user interface (UI) navigation device 214 (e.g., a mouse). In anexample, the display unit 210, input device 212 and UI navigation device214 can be a touch screen display. The machine 200 can additionallyinclude a storage device (e.g., drive unit) 216, a signal generationdevice 218 (e.g., a speaker), a network interface device 220, and one ormore sensors 221, such as a global positioning system (GPS) sensor,compass, accelerometer, or other sensor. The machine 200 can include anoutput controller 228, such as a serial (e.g., universal serial bus(USB), parallel, or other wired or wireless (e.g., infrared (IR))connection to communicate or control one or more peripheral devices(e.g., a printer, card reader, etc.)

The storage device 216 can include a machine-readable medium 222 onwhich is stored one or more sets of data structures or instructions 224(e.g., software) embodying or utilized by any one or more of thetechniques or functions described herein. The instructions 224 can alsoreside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory 204,within static memory 206, or within the hardware processor 202 duringexecution thereof by the machine 200. In an example, one or anycombination of the hardware processor 202, the main memory 204, thestatic memory 206, or the storage device 216 can constitutemachine-readable media.

While the machine-readable medium 222 is illustrated as a single medium,the term “machine-readable medium” can include a single medium ormultiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/orassociated caches and servers) that configured to store the one or moreinstructions 224.

The term “machine-readable medium” can include any tangible medium thatis capable of storing, encoding, or carrying instructions for executionby the machine 200 and that cause the machine 200 to perform any one ormore of the techniques of the present disclosure, or that is capable ofstoring, encoding or carrying data structures used by or associated withsuch instructions. Non-limiting machine-readable medium examples caninclude solid-state memories, and optical and magnetic media. Specificexamples of machine-readable media can include non-volatile memory, suchas semiconductor memory devices (e.g., Electrically ProgrammableRead-Only Memory (EPROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-OnlyMemory (EEPROM)) and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, such asinternal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; andCD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks.

The instructions 224 can further be transmitted or received over acommunications network 226 using a transmission medium via the networkinterface device 220 utilizing any one of a number of transfer protocols(e.g., frame relay, internet protocol (IP), transmission controlprotocol (TCP), user datagram protocol (UDP), hypertext transferprotocol (HTTP), etc.). Example communication networks can include alocal area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a packet datanetwork (e.g., the Internet), mobile telephone networks (e.g., cellularnetworks), Plain Old Telephone (POTS) networks, and wireless datanetworks (e.g., Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)802.11 family of standards known as Wi-Fi®, IEEE 802.16 family ofstandards known as WiMax®), peer-to-peer (P2P) networks, among others.In an example, the network interface device 220 can include one or morephysical jacks (e.g., Ethernet, coaxial, or phone jacks) or one or moreantennas to connect to the communications network 226. In an example,the network interface device 220 can include a plurality of antennas tocommunicate wirelessly using at least one of single-inputmultiple-output (SIMO), multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), ormultiple-input single-output (MISO) techniques. The term “transmissionmedium” shall be taken to include any intangible medium that is capableof storing, encoding or carrying instructions for execution by themachine 200, and includes digital or analog communications signals orother intangible medium to facilitate communication of such software.

FIG. 3 illustrates a method of dynamic media content output 300 on amobile device 102 in accordance with some embodiments. In someembodiments, a user of a mobile device 102 may already have multi-mode(e.g. audio and video) media content on the user's mobile device 102. Inother embodiments, a user of a mobile device 102 may request mediacontent from a media content provider 106 via a network 104.

In some embodiments, mobile device 102 may receive selection input 302,the selection input selecting for playback at least one of audio, video,and closed-captioning from media content containing at least two ofaudio, video, and closed-captioning. The selection input may be receivedby mobile device 102 by way of a user touching a touch screen of themobile device 102, one or more buttons of the mobile device 102, byvoice command from the user to the mobile device 102, or by a gesturefrom the user to the mobile device 102, in accordance with someembodiments. In some embodiments, the selection input may be determinedby the mobile device 102 from its context, without user involvement. Forexample, while the mobile device 102 is playing media content containingboth audio and video data, the mobile device 102 may determine that ithas been placed into a pocket or a purse, in which case the mobiledevice 102 may switch from audio and video playback to audio playbackonly.

In some embodiments, if the mobile device 102 already has the mediacontent intended for playback, mobile device 102 might generate 304 inresponse to the selection input including audio, an audio output as asignal, the signal corresponding to audio data stored in the mediacontent, from which auditory waves can be generated.

In other embodiments, if the mobile device 102 does not yet have themedia content intended for playback, mobile device 102 may wait untilthe media content has either finished downloading to the mobile device102, or streaming of the media content has begun. In such embodiments,after either the media content has finished downloading or the streamingof the media content has begun, mobile device 102 might generate 304 inresponse to the selection input including audio, an audio output as asignal, the signal corresponding to audio data stored in the mediacontent, from which auditory waves can be generated.

In some embodiments, if the mobile device 102 already has the mediacontent intended for playback, mobile device 102 might generate 306 inresponse to the selection input including video, a video output as asignal, the signal corresponding to video data stored in the mediacontent, from which video images can be generated. In other embodiments,if the mobile device 102 does not yet have the media content intendedfor playback, mobile device 102 may wait until the media content haseither finished downloading to the mobile device 102, or streaming ofthe media content has begun. In such embodiments, after either the mediacontent has finished downloading or the streaming of the media contenthas begun, mobile device 102 might generate 306 in response to theselection input including video, a video output as a signal, the signalcorresponding to video data stored in the media content, from whichvideo images can be generated.

In some embodiments, if the mobile device 102 already has the mediacontent intended for playback, mobile device 102 might generate 308 inresponse to selection input including closed-captioning, aclosed-captioning output as a signal, the signal corresponding toclosed-captioning data stored in the media content, from whichclosed-captioning text can be generated. In other embodiments, if themobile device 102 does not yet have the media content intended forplayback, mobile device 102 may wait until the media content has eitherfinished downloading to the mobile device 102, or streaming of the mediacontent has begun. In such embodiments, after the media content hasfinished downloading or the streaming of the media content has begun,mobile device 102 might generate 308 in response to the selection inputincluding closed-captioning, a closed-captioning output as a signal, thesignal corresponding to closed-captioning data stored in the mediacontent, from which closed-captioning text can be generated.

In some embodiments, the media content may be encrypted; in suchembodiments, the mobile device may decrypt the media content beforegenerating the data output(s). The mobile device may decrypt the entiremedia content before starting to generate the data output(s) associatedwith the media content, or the mobile device may decrypt the mediacontent as the media content is streamed. The decryption may beperformed by a specialized software or hardware module, such as aTrusted Execution Engine (TEE), of the mobile device.

FIG. 4 illustrates a method of dynamic media content output 400 on amedia content provider 106, in accordance with some embodiments. In someembodiments, the media content provider 106 may be a single networkedserver. In other embodiments, the media content provider 106 may be aplurality of servers that communicate with each other to provide mediacontent. In some embodiments, media content provider 106 may receive 402selection input from a mobile device 102, the selection input selectingfor playback at least one of audio, video, and closed-captioning frommedia content containing at least two of audio, video, andclosed-captioning.

In some embodiments, media content provider 106 may generate 404, inresponse to the selection input including audio, an audio output as asignal, the signal corresponding to audio data stored in the mediacontent, from which auditory waves can be generated.

In some embodiments, media content provider 106 may generate 406, inresponse to the selection input including video, a video output as asignal, the signal corresponding to video data stored in the mediacontent, from which video images can be generated.

In some embodiments, media content provider 106 may generate 408, inresponse to selection input including closed-captioning, aclosed-captioning output as a signal, the signal corresponding toclosed-captioning data stored in the media content, from whichclosed-captioning text can be generated.

In some embodiments, media content provider 106 may adapt the mediacontent to contain only a subset of audio data, video data, andclosed-captioning data, as specified in a policy available to the mediacontent provider. In some embodiments, the policy may include a datarepresentation of the received selection input from a particular mediacontent request. In some embodiments, the policy is specific to at leastone intended recipient of the media content. In some embodiments, thepolicy may contain output mode settings for streaming events of interestwithin the media content. In some embodiments, the policy may containdefault output mode settings based on the type of content of the mediacontent. In some embodiments, a received selection input may be storedin the policy for use in subsequent output generation from mediacontent.

In some embodiments, media content provider 106 may adapt media contentfor transmission to at least one intended recipient of the mediacontent. In such embodiments, the adaptation may be based on the networkdata throughput available to a mobile device of at least one intendedrecipient of the media content and/or a property of a mobile device ofat least one intended recipient of the media content.

In some embodiments, media content provider 106 may use a datatransmission module to transmit 410 via a network interface device thegenerated output(s) over network 104.

FIG. 5 illustrates an operational environment 500 and functional blockdiagram of an example mobile device 502 in accordance with someembodiments. The mobile device 102, in some embodiments, includes aninput selection module 530, an audio module 540, a video module 550, aclosed captioning module 560, and a client media rendering module 570.

In some embodiments, a user 510 interacts 515 with the input selectionmodule 530 of a mobile device 502 to select 515 output to be generatedfrom media content containing at least two of audio data, video data,and closed-captioning data. The user 510 may select 515 at least one ofaudio, video, and closed-captioning to be output during play of themedia content. For example, the user 510 may input a selection 515 toreceive only video and closed-captioning from media content thatcontains audio, video, and closed-captioning.

In some embodiments, the audio module 540 of mobile device 102 maygenerate, in response to the selection input including audio, an audiooutput as a signal, the signal corresponding to audio data stored in themedia content, from which auditory waves can be generated.

In some embodiments, the video module 550 of mobile device 102 maygenerate, in response to the selection input including video, a videooutput as a signal, the signal corresponding to video data stored in themedia content, from which video images can be generated.

In some embodiments, the closed-captioning module 560 of mobile device502 may generate, in response to the selection input includingclosed-captioning, a closed-captioning output as a signal, the signalcorresponding to closed-captioning data stored in the media content,from which closed-captioning text can be generated.

In some embodiments, the client media rendering module 570 may aggregatethe relevant outputs from the audio module 540, video module 550, andclosed-captioning module 560 and generate the associated auditory waves,video images, and closed-captioning text via one or more devicesincluded within the mobile device, such as a speaker and a display.

In some embodiments of the operational environment 550, one or more ofthe audio module 540, video module 550, and closed-captioning module 560may be present as hardware or software components of one or more serversor server process accessed by the mobile device 502 via a network. Insuch embodiments, such as illustrated in FIG. 1, the mobile device 502receives selection input via the input selection module 530 andtransmits a data representation thereof to the server or server process.The server or server process including one or more of the audio module540, video module 550, and closed-captioning module 560 utilizes therespective modules according the selection input and transmit therelevant media, as a single file or as a stream, to the mobile device502. The client media rendering module 570 may then cause the receivedmedia to be presented via the mobile device 502.

Additional Notes and Examples

Example 1 may include subject matter (such as a device, apparatus, orcomputing device for application independent content control) comprisinga mobile device comprising a selection input module for receiving, froma user, a selection input pertaining to rendering output from mediacontent containing at least two of audio data, video data, andclosed-captioning data, the selection input selecting at least one ofaudio, video, and closed-captioning to be output during play of themedia content; an audio module for rendering an audio output as a signalin response to the selection input including audio, the signalcorresponding to audio data stored in the media content and from whichauditory waves can be generated; a video module for rendering a videooutput as a signal in response to the selection input including video,the signal corresponding to video data stored in the media content andfrom which video images can be generated; a closed-captioning module forrendering a closed-captioning output as a signal in response to theselection input including closed-captioning, the signal corresponding toclosed-captioning data stored in the media content and from whichclosed-captioning text can be generated; and a client media renderingmodule for aggregating the relevant outputs and generating theassociated auditory waves, video images, and closed-captioning text.

In Example 2, the subject matter of Example 1 may optionally include atleast one network interface device, wherein the media content isstreamed over a network via the at least one network interface device.

In Example 3, the subject matter of either Example 1 or 2 may optionallyinclude adapting the media content to contain only a proper subset ofaudio, video, and closed-captioning data, as specified in a policy.

In Example 4, the subject matter of one or any of Examples 1-3 mayoptionally include adapting the media content based on at least one of anetwork data throughput available to the mobile device and a property ofthe mobile device.

In Example 5, the subject matter of one or any of Examples 1-4 mayoptionally include the policy being specific to a user of the mobiledevice.

In Example 6, the subject matter of one or any of Examples 1-5 mayoptionally include the policy containing output mode settings forstreaming events of interest within the media content.

In Example 7, the subject matter of one or any of Examples 1-6 mayoptionally include the policy containing default output mode settingsbased on the type of content of the media content.

In Example 8, the subject matter of one or any of Examples 1-7 mayoptionally include the selection input being stored in the policy foruse in subsequent output generation from media content.

Example 9 may include, or may optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of one or any of Examples 1-8 to include, subject matter (such asan apparatus, a method, a means for performing acts, or a machinereadable medium including instructions that, when performed by a machinecause the machine to performs acts) comprising receiving selection inputpertaining to rendering output from a media content containing at leasttwo of audio data, video data, and closed-captioning data, the selectioninput selecting at least one of audio, video, and closed-captioning tobe output during play of the media content; rendering, in response tothe selection input including audio, an audio output as a signal, thesignal corresponding to audio data stored in the media content, fromwhich auditory waves can be generated; rendering, in response to theselection input including video, a video output as a signal, the signalcorresponding to video data stored in the media content, from whichvideo images can be generated; rendering, in response to selection inputincluding closed-captioning, a closed-captioning output as a signal, thesignal corresponding to closed-captioning data stored in the mediacontent, from which closed-captioning text can be generated; andaggregating the relevant outputs and generating the associated waves,images, and text.

In Example 10, the subject matter of one or any of Examples 1-9 mayoptionally include receiving the media content as a stream of data overa network via at least one network interface device.

In Example 11, the subject matter of one or any of Examples 1-10 mayoptionally include adapting the media content to contain only a subsetof audio, video, and closed-captioning data, as specified in a policy.

In Example 12, the subject matter of one or any of Examples 1-11 mayoptionally include adapting the media content based on at least one of anetwork data throughput available to the mobile device and a property ofthe mobile device.

In Example 13, the subject matter of one or any of Examples 1-12 mayoptionally include the policy being specific to a user of the mobiledevice.

In Example 14, the subject matter of one or any of Examples 1-13 mayoptionally include the policy containing output mode settings forstreaming events of interest within the media content.

In Example 15, the subject matter of one or any of Examples 1-14 mayoptionally include the policy containing default output mode settingsbased on the type of content of the media content.

In Example 16, the subject matter of one or any of Examples 1-15 mayoptionally include storing the selection input in the policy for use insubsequent output generation from media content.

Example 17 may include, or may optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of one or any of Examples 1-16 to include, subject matter (suchas a device, apparatus, or computing device for application independentcontent control) comprising at least one network interface device; aselection input module for receiving selection input pertaining torendering data output from media content containing at least two ofaudio data, video data, and closed-captioning data, the selection inputselecting at least one of audio, video, and closed-captioning to beoutput during play of the media content; an audio module for renderingan audio data output as a signal in response to the selection inputincluding audio, the signal corresponding to audio data stored in themedia content and from which auditory waves can be generated; a videomodule for rendering a video data output as a signal in response to theselection input including video, the signal corresponding to video datastored in the media content and from which video images can begenerated; a closed-captioning module for rendering a closed-captioningdata output as a signal in response to the selection input includingclosed-captioning, the signal corresponding to closed-captioning datastored in the media content and from which closed-captioning text can begenerated; and a data transmission module for transmitting over anetwork via the at least one network interface device the rendered dataoutput from the audio, video, and closed-captioning modules based on theselection input.

In Example 18, the subject matter of one or any of Examples 1-17 mayoptionally include adapting the media content to contain only a subsetof audio data, video data, and closed-captioning data, as specified in apolicy available to the media content provider.

In Example 19, the subject matter of one or any of Examples 1-18 mayoptionally include adapting the media content for transmission to atleast one intended recipient, the adaption based on at least one of anetwork data throughput available to a mobile device of the at least oneintended recipient and a property of a mobile device of the at least oneintended recipient.

In Example 20, the subject matter of one or any of Examples 1-19 mayoptionally include the policy including a data representation of thereceived selection input from a particular use and the policy beingspecific to the at least one intended recipient.

In Example 21, the subject matter of one or any of Examples 1-20 mayoptionally include the policy containing output mode settings forstreaming events of interest within the media content.

In Example 22, the subject matter of one or any of Examples 1-21 mayoptionally include the policy containing default output mode settingsbased on the type of content of the media content.

In Example 23, the subject matter of one or any of Examples 1-22 mayoptionally include the selection input being stored in the policy foruse in subsequent output generation from media content.

The above detailed description includes references to the accompanyingdrawings, which form a part of the detailed description. The drawingsshow, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which theinvention can be practiced. These embodiments are also referred toherein as “examples.” Such examples can include elements in addition tothose shown or described. However, the present inventors alsocontemplate examples in which only those elements shown or described areprovided. Moreover, the present inventors also contemplate examplesusing any combination or permutation of those elements shown ordescribed (or one or more aspects thereof), either with respect to aparticular example (or one or more aspects thereof), or with respect toother examples (or one or more aspects thereof) shown or describedherein.

In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patentdocuments, to include one or more than one, independent of any otherinstances or usages of “at least one” or “one or more.” In thisdocument, the term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive or, such that“A or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B,” unlessotherwise indicated. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and“in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respectiveterms “comprising” and “wherein.” Also, in the following claims, theterms “including” and “comprising” are open-ended, that is, a system,device, article, or process that includes elements in addition to thoselisted after such a term in a claim are still deemed to fall within thescope of that claim. Moreover, in the following claims, the terms“first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and arenot intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.

The above description is intended to be illustrative, and notrestrictive. For example, the above-described examples (or one or moreaspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. Otherembodiments can be used, such as by one of ordinary skill in the artupon reviewing the above description. The Abstract is provided to complywith 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b), to allow the reader to quickly ascertain thenature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with theunderstanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scopeor meaning of the claims. In addition, in the above DetailedDescription, various features may be grouped together to streamline thedisclosure. This should not be interpreted as intending that anunclaimed disclosed feature is essential to any claim. Rather, inventivesubject matter may lie in less than all features of a particulardisclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporatedinto the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as aseparate embodiment. The scope of the invention should be determinedwith reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope ofequivalents to which such claims are entitled.

1-23. (canceled)
 24. A set-top box system that, when the set-top boxsystem is in operation, is capable of communicating, at least in part,via at least one wireless network, with a mobile device, the set-top boxsystem being usable with a display and/or speaker, the set-top boxsystem comprising: flash memory capable of storing, at least in part,instructions; at least one central processing unit that is capable, whenthe set-top box system is in the operation, of executing, at least inpart, the instructions; network communication interface circuitrycomprising at least one antenna, the network communication interfacecircuitry being capable of being used by the set-top box system, whenthe set-top box system is in the operation, to wirelessly communicate,using the at least one antenna, via the at least one network, with themobile device; the instructions, when executed, at least in part, by theat least one central processing unit resulting in the set-top box systembeing capable of performing operations comprising: generating, at leastin part, at least one signal corresponding, at least in part, tostreaming media content, the at least one signal being for output viathe set-top box system to the display and/or the speaker, the streamingmedia content corresponding, at least in part, to user requested mediacontent, the user requested media content to be selected, at least inpart, via user input to be received, at least in part, via a userinterface of the mobile device, the user requested media content to bewirelessly provided to the mobile device, the user requested mediacontent corresponding, at least in part, to remotely stored mediacontent files that are to be adapted, at least in part, to generate, atleast in part, adapted media content, the adapted media content beingcapable of being (1) wirelessly provided by the mobile device to theset-top box system for use in generating, at least in part, the at leastone signal by the set-top box system, and (2) stored in entirety at themobile device; wherein: in the operation of the mobile device, the userinterface comprises a touch screen interface and is capable ofreceiving, at least in part, at least one user voice command and atleast one user gesture input; in the operation of the set-top boxsystem, the set-top box system is capable of receiving, at least inpart, other instructions via the at least one network, the otherinstructions to be executed, at least in part, by the at least onecentral processing unit; the adapted media content is capable ofcomprising audio data, video data, and closed-captioning-related data;the adapted media content is to be generated based, at least in part,upon rate of data communication of the mobile device.
 25. The set-topbox system of claim 24, wherein: the mobile device comprises asmartphone device and/or tablet device.
 26. The set-top box system ofclaim 24, wherein: the adapted media content is to be encrypted, atleast in part.
 27. The set-top box system of claim 24, wherein: the atleast one network comprises a local area network and/or Internetnetwork.
 28. The set-top box system of claim 24, wherein: the mobiledevice is capable of wirelessly receiving, at least in part, the adaptedmedia content from at least one server that is remote from the set-topbox system and the mobile device.
 29. The set-top box system of claim28, wherein: the at least one server is also to store, at least in part,the media content files.
 30. The set-top box system of claim 28,wherein: the mobile device is also capable of downloading the entiretyof the adapted media content from the at least one server for playbackat the mobile device.
 31. The set-top box system of claim 28, wherein:the display and the speaker are comprised, at least in part, within thesystem.
 32. At least one non-transitory machine-readable medium storinginstructions that are capable of being executed, at least in part, by aset-top box system, the set-top box system, when the set-top box systemis in operation, being capable of communicating, at least in part, viaat least one wireless network, with a mobile device, the set-top boxsystem being usable with a display and/or speaker, the instructions whenexecuted, at least in part, by the set-top box system, resulting in theset-top box system being capable of performing operations comprising:generating, at least in part, at least one signal corresponding, atleast in part, to streaming media content, the at least one signal beingfor output via the set-top box system to the display and/or the speaker,the streaming media content corresponding, at least in part, to userrequested media content, the user requested media content to beselected, at least in part, via user input to be received, at least inpart, via a user interface of the mobile device, the user requestedmedia content to be wirelessly provided to the mobile device, the userrequested media content corresponding, at least in part, to remotelystored media content files that are to be adapted, at least in part, togenerate, at least in part, adapted media content, the adapted mediacontent being capable of being (1) wirelessly provided by the mobiledevice to the set-top box system for use in generating, at least inpart, the at least one signal by the set-top box system, and (2) storedin entirety at the mobile device; wherein: in the operation of themobile device, the user interface comprises a touch screen interface andis capable of receiving, at least in part, at least one user voicecommand and at least one user gesture input; in the operation of theset-top box system, the set-top box system is capable of receiving, atleast in part, other instructions via the at least one network, theother instructions to be executed, at least in part, by the at least onecentral processing unit; the adapted media content is capable ofcomprising audio data, video data, and closed-captioning-related data;the adapted media content is to be generated based, at least in part,upon rate of data communication of the mobile device.
 33. The at leastone non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 32, wherein: themobile device comprises a smartphone device and/or tablet device. 34.The at least one non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 32,wherein: the adapted media content is to be encrypted, at least in part.35. The at least one non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 32,wherein: the at least one network comprises a local area network and/orInternet network.
 36. The at least one non-transitory machine-readablemedium of claim 32, wherein: the mobile device is capable of wirelesslyreceiving, at least in part, the adapted media content from at least oneserver that is remote from the set-top box system and the mobile device.37. The at least one non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 36,wherein: the at least one server is also to store, at least in part, themedia content files.
 38. The at least one non-transitorymachine-readable medium of claim 36, wherein: the mobile device is alsocapable of downloading the entirety of the adapted media content fromthe at least one server for playback at the mobile device.
 39. The atleast one non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 32, wherein:the display and the speaker are comprised, at least in part, within thesystem.
 40. A method implemented, at least in part, using a set-top boxsystem, the set-top box system, when the set-top box system is inoperation, being capable of communicating, at least in part, via atleast one wireless network, with a mobile device, the set-top box systembeing usable with a display and/or speaker, the method comprising:generating, at least in part, at least one signal corresponding, atleast in part, to streaming media content, the at least one signal beingfor output via the set-top box system to the display and/or the speaker,the streaming media content corresponding, at least in part, to userrequested media content, the user requested media content to beselected, at least in part, via user input to be received, at least inpart, via a user interface of the mobile device, the user requestedmedia content to be wirelessly provided to the mobile device, the userrequested media content corresponding, at least in part, to remotelystored media content files that are to be adapted, at least in part, togenerate, at least in part, adapted media content, the adapted mediacontent being capable of being (1) wirelessly provided by the mobiledevice to the set-top box system for use in generating, at least inpart, the at least one signal by the set-top box system, and (2) storedin entirety at the mobile device; wherein: in the operation of themobile device, the user interface comprises a touch screen interface andis capable of receiving, at least in part, at least one user voicecommand and at least one user gesture input; in the operation of theset-top box system, the set-top box system is capable of receiving, atleast in part, other instructions via the at least one network, theother instructions to be executed, at least in part, by the at least onecentral processing unit; the adapted media content is capable ofcomprising audio data, video data, and closed-captioning-related data;the adapted media content is to be generated based, at least in part,upon rate of data communication of the mobile device.
 41. The method ofclaim 40, wherein: the mobile device comprises a smartphone deviceand/or tablet device.
 42. The method of claim 40, wherein: the adaptedmedia content is to be encrypted, at least in part.
 43. The method ofclaim 40, wherein: the at least one network comprises a local areanetwork and/or Internet network.
 44. The method of claim 40, wherein:the mobile device is capable of wirelessly receiving, at least in part,the adapted media content from at least one server that is remote fromthe set-top box system and the mobile device.
 45. The method of claim44, wherein: the at least one server is also to store, at least in part,the media content files.
 46. The method of claim 44, wherein: the mobiledevice is also capable of downloading the entirety of the adapted mediacontent from the at least one server for playback at the mobile device.47. The method of claim 40, wherein: the display and the speaker arecomprised, at least in part, within the system.
 48. A set-top box systemthat, when the set-top box system is in operation, is capable ofcommunicating via one or more wireless networks with a mobile device,the set-top box system being usable with a display and/or speaker, theset-top box system comprising: flash memory capable of storinginstructions; one or more central processing units that are capable,when the set-top box system is in the operation, of executing theinstructions; network communication interface circuitry comprising oneor more antennae, the network communication interface circuitry beingcapable of being used by the set-top box system, when the set-top boxsystem is in the operation, to wirelessly communicate, using the one ormore antennae, via the one or more networks, with the mobile device; theinstructions, when executed by the one or more central processing unitsresulting in the set-top box system being capable of performingoperations comprising: generating one or more signals corresponding tostreaming media content, the one or more signals being for output viathe set-top box system to the display and/or the speaker, the streamingmedia content corresponding to user requested media content, the userrequested media content to be selected via user input to be received viaa user interface of the mobile device, the user requested media contentto be wirelessly provided to the mobile device, the user requested mediacontent corresponding to remotely stored media content files that are tobe adapted to generate adapted media content, the adapted media contentbeing capable of being (1) wirelessly provided by the mobile device tothe set-top box system for use in generating the one or more signals bythe set-top box system, and (2) stored in entirety at the mobile device;wherein: in the operation of the mobile device, the user interfacecomprises a touch screen interface and is capable of receiving one ormore user voice commands and one or more user gesture inputs; in theoperation of the set-top box system, the set-top box system is capableof receiving other instructions via the one or more networks, the otherinstructions to be executed by the one or more central processing units;the adapted media content is capable of comprising audio data, videodata, and closed-captioning-related data; the adapted media content isto be generated based upon rate of data communication of the mobiledevice.
 49. The set-top box system of claim 48, wherein: the mobiledevice comprises a smartphone device and/or tablet device.
 50. Theset-top box system of claim 48, wherein: the adapted media content is tobe encrypted.
 51. The set-top box system of claim 48, wherein: the oneor more networks comprise a local area network and/or Internet network.52. The set-top box system of claim 48, wherein: the mobile device iscapable of wirelessly receiving the adapted media content from one ormore servers that are remote from the set-top box system and the mobiledevice.
 53. The set-top box system of claim 52, wherein: the one or moreservers are also to store the media content files.
 54. The set-top boxsystem of claim 52, wherein: the mobile device is also capable ofdownloading the entirety of the adapted media content from the one ormore servers for playback at the mobile device.
 55. The set-top boxsystem of claim 48, wherein: the display and the speaker are comprisedwithin the system.